NAMAZ

How to Perform Isha Namaz: A Step-by-Step Guide

November 6, 2024 / Comments Off on How to Perform Isha Namaz: A Step-by-Step Guide

Isha namaz is the final obligatory prayer of the day. Many believers wonder “how many rakat in isha namaz?” – it is 17 in total. It consists of; 4 sunnah rakats, 4 fard rakats, followed by 2 sunnah rakats, 2 nafl rakats, plus 3 witr rakats and 2 nafl rakats. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step of performing Isha namaz correctly and meaningfully.

Understanding Isha Namaz Timing

Isha namaz begins after the complete disappearance of twilight and continues until dawn. While it’s permissible to pray Isha namaz throughout the night, it’s recommended to perform it before midnight when possible. Understanding when to pray is just as important as knowing how many rakat in isha namaz you need to perform.

Preparing for Isha Namaz

Before performing Isha prayer, it’s essential to prepare both physically and spiritually. Here are some steps to follow:

  1. Intention: Before beginning, make a sincere intention to perform a asr prayer for the sake of Allah SWT. For example: When you stand on your prayer mat ready to pray, you can say something like this ”I’m praying four sunnah namaz of isha.”
  2. Ablution (Wudu): Ensure you are in a state of ritual purity by performing ablution according to the prescribed steps. We spoke about the importance of wudu and ghusl you can refresh your mind and go through the steps here.
  3. Facing the Kaaba: Orient yourself towards the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. You can use a Qibla compass or a Qibla app to determine the correct direction.
  4. Dress code: Make sure your dress code is appropriate for namaz.

Steps of Isha Namaz

As the way of rakat prayer doesn’t change in isha namaz you can follow the guide on dhuhr namaz. I leave the order of the rakat with link to it bellow. There is a slight difference in how to perform three witr rakat of isha, but I will go through all the steps with you.

4 SUNNAH RAKAR
Follow how to pray four sunnah rakat here.

4 FARD RAKAT
Follow how to pray four sunnah rakat here.

2 SUNNAH RAKAT
Follow how to pray four sunnah rakat here.

2 NAFL RAKAT
Follow how to pray four sunnah rakat here.

3 WITR RAKAT

Preparing for Isha Prayer

Before performing maghrib prayer, it’s essential to prepare both physically and spiritually. Here are some steps to follow:

  1. Intention: Before beginning, make a sincere intention to perform a isha prayer for the sake of Allah SWT. For example: When you stand on your prayer mat ready to pray, you can say something like this ”I’m praying four fard namaz of isha.”
  2. Ablution (Wudu): Ensure you are in a state of ritual purity by performing ablution according to the prescribed steps. We spoke about the importance of wudu and ghusl you can refresh your mind and go through the steps here.
  3. Facing the Kaaba: Orient yourself towards the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. You can use a Qibla compass or a Qibla app to determine the correct direction.
  4. Dress code: Make sure your dress code is appropriate for namaz.

Steps of Isha Namaz

3 WITR RAKAT
The main difference in witr namaz is that in 3rd rakat you do extra takbir and recite surah Qunoot. And than finish your namaz as usual.

  1. Takbir (Opening): Raising your hands to your ears (for men), raising hands to shoulder with elbows kept tide to body (for women) and saying “Allahu Akbar” (God is the greatest). Then place your hands on your chest (women) right hand on top of left hand. Men place their hands just under their chest.
  2. Recite opening dua; ‘Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk.’ (Glorious You are O Allah, and with Your praise, and blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your majesty, and none has the right to be worshipped but You.)
  3. Recitation: You recite ‘Audhu Billahi Minashaitanir Rajeem. Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem’ (I seek refuge in Allah from satan the evil. in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful)
    Reciting the Surah al-Fatihah (the opening chapter of the Quran) and another Surah or a few verses of Quran you remember.
  4. Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to Ruku (Bowing): Bending your waist at a 90-degree angle, placing your hands on your knees reciting 3x times “SubhanaRabbiy-al-‘Adheem”
  5. I’tidal (Standing up): While straightening your back say “Sami’allahu liman hamida” (God has heard those who praise Him).
  6. Going from standing up to Sujud recite – ‘Rabanaa lakal hamd’.
  7. Sujud (Prostration): Touching the ground with your forehead, nose, hands, forearms (for women only), and legs. And recite at least 3x times “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (“How Perfect is my Lord, the Highest”).
  8. Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to Jalsa (Sitting): Sitting up on your heels (for men). Sitting up on your legs, with your legs slightly to the right side so your bottom touches the ground (for women). Both hands are placed on the knees.
  9. Say ‘Allahu Akbar‘ and do Second Sujud (Prostration): Performing a second prostration. Repeating the steps 7 and 8.
  10. Continue to do your second rakat by saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to to standing position repeat steps 3 – 9.
  11. Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to Tashriq (Sitting): sit and recite the “At-Tahiyyat”.
  12. Continue to do your third rakat by saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to to standing position recite surah Fatiha follow by another surah of your choice.
  13. You do Takbir: Raising your hands to your ears (for men), raising hands to shoulder with elbows kept tide to body (for women) and saying “Allahu Akbar”. and placed your hands back on your chest and recite surah Qunoot.
  14. Then you continue steps 4.-9.
  15. Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go to Tashriq (Sitting): sit and recite the “At-Tahiyyat” and ”Durood Shareef”.
  16. Salam (Greeting): When you finish step 11 you turn your head to the right and say “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu” and then turn your head to the left and say the same “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu” (Peace be upon you and the mercy of God and His blessings).

2 NAFL RAKAT
Follow how to pray rho sunnah and 2 nafl rakat here.

Connecting with Your Creator

Remember that Isha namaz is more than just physical movements and recitations. It’s a beautiful opportunity to:

  • Reflect on your day
  • Seek forgiveness
  • Express gratitude
  • Make personal supplications
  • Strengthen your faith

Conclusion

Understanding how many rakat in isha namaz and performing them correctly is essential for every Muslim. This nightly prayer serves as a peaceful conclusion to your day and an opportunity to strengthen your connection with Allah. Whether you’re new to prayer or looking to enhance your existing practice, remember that consistency and sincerity are key to a meaningful namaz experience.

Take time to perfect each aspect of your prayer, from the initial takbeer to the final salam. Remember that while the physical movements and recitations are important, the true essence of Isha namaz lies in the spiritual connection you establish with your Creator.

May this guide help you establish and maintain a strong prayer routine, and may your Isha namaz become a source of peace, comfort, and spiritual elevation in your daily life.